Printing telegraph apparatus



Jan. 8, 1946. R. A. LAKE PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Original FiledSept. 20, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mum NNN INVENTOR N ROSS 'A. LAKE BY wowATTORNEY Jan. 8, 1946. R. A. LAKE PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Sept. 20, 1941 mo. 5 w. m9 8. n: 8. E1 mm..5. on 0 NE mm. 0w

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INVENTOR ROSS A. LAKE ATTORNEY mmN Patented Jan. 8, 1946 PRINTINGTELEGRAPH APPARATUS Ross A. Lake, Oak Park, Ill., assignor to Teletype ICorporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Originalapplication September 20, 1941, Serial No. 411,660. Divided and thisapplication January 18, 1944, Serial No. 518,709

3 Claims. (01. 178-77) This invention relates to printing telegraphapparatus and more particularly to signal recording and repeatingapparatus and switching mechanism controlled thereby.

This application is a division of copending application Serial No.411,660, filed September 20, 1941, which has matured into Patent No.2,355,657, dated August 15, 1944.

An object of this invention is to provide telegraph apparatus which willreceive and store telegraph signal combinations, record the chara tersrepresented thereby, and redistribute the signal combinations to otherlocations.

Another object of this invention is to provide a unitary machineincluding a signal responsive printer, a reperforator, a tape sensingdevice, and transmitting and switching, mechanisms.

The apparatus for accomplishing the aboveenumerated objects of thisinvention includes a printing reperforator, a sensing or transmittingdevice, a transmitting distributor and an automatic switching device.Code signal combinations received by this apparatus condition theprinting reperforator to store the received signal combinations andprint the character represented thereby on a control strip. The printingreperforator includes a pre-punch unit'to prepare feed holes in thestrip and this *prepunch unit is operated concomitantly with the codeperforating unit from a cam sleeve mechanically released for a singlerevolution by the printing unit operating bail in each cycle of rotationof a selecting cam drum. The cam sleeve is adapted to be manuallyreleased, independently of the printer, for continuous rotation to feeda desired length of the tape or control strip through the operation ofthe feeding devices of the perforating units. The tape path through thereperforator is disposed at an angle to the code Punches to enable thecode punches to perform a shearing operation in perforating the tape.From the reperforator, the control strip passes into the sensing ortransmitting device to control that device in accordance with receivedsignal combinations stored in the tape.

The sensing or transmitting device, being of the pivoted type, ismovable with respect to the reperforator and may, therefore, probe eachsignal combination including the last stored in the tape by the codepunching unit. When the sensing device has been conditioned inaccordance with a signal combination in the control strip, a transfer,device operates to transfer the setting of the sensing device to aplurality of pivoted code vanes and to restore the sensing device to itsln-' itial condition preparatory to another sensing operation. Each codevane is associated with a contact operating lever of a cam typetransmitting distributor and the code vanes when they have received asetting of the sensing device, establish the setting on the contacts ofthe distributor so that the signal is retransmitted by the distributorwhile the sensing device is performing the next succeeding sensingoperation and through this arrangement signal overlap is provided. Thecode vanes condition automatic switching mechanisms as well as thetransmitting distributor to perform switching functions in response toreceived switching signal combinations.

For a more complete understanding of the foregoing objects and featuresof this invention, reference'may be had to the following detaileddescription which is to be interpreted in the light of the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view partly in section of a portion of a telegraphapparatus embodying the features of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a frontelevational view, partly in section, of the apparatusof Fig. 1 i and Fig. 3 is a sectional view-taken substantially on lines3-3 of Fig. 1.

The apparatus disclosed in the drawings embodies'the several features ofthis invention and may be considered as including the followingprincipal units and associated drivingmechanisms; a printingreperiorator unit I6, a tape sensing unit IT, a transmitting distributorl8, and an automatic switching device I9. The several units aresupported by a base casting 2|.

Printing reperforator The printing reperforator l6 included in theapparatus under consideration is substantially the same as that printingreperforator which is the subject of a copending application filed inthe name of Ross A. Lake, Serial No. 274,796, filed May 20, 1939, whichhas matured into Patent No. 2,255,794, issued September 16, 1941-, andfor a more complete understanding of the structure and mode ofoperationof this unit. reference may be had to the afore-mentioned patent whichis incorporated herein by reference. Since the unit under considerationis substantially-the same as that disclosed in the above-identifiedpatent, the description of that mechanism to be set out hereinafter willbe of a general nature and will be detailed only in the description of 7supports in a manner to permit their striking forwardly and downwardlyinto cooperation with the platen to eifect printing. A plurality of pullbars 26 (on1y one of which is shown) is assembled to the rear of thetype bars 24 and is adapted to operate the type bars through a gear andrack connection (not shown). The pullbars are normally urged against aseries of notched code bars .21 which are semi-circular in shape andwhichmay be conditioned in various permutable settings by means of aselector mechanism 28 (Fig. 1, of the sword and T-lever type, shown inU. S. Patent No. 1,745,633), to bring into alignment; the notches on thecode surfaces so that the pull-bars maybe "individually selected foroperation. A driving motor 29 carries on its shaft 3| a gear 32 which.meshes with a gear 33 carries on the main shaft 34 of thereperforator todrive the reperforating mechanism; a selecting cam sleeve (not shown) isrotatablysupported upon shaft 34 andis adapted to be driven therefromthrough a suitable friction or slip clutch.

A receiving magnet (not be conditioned in response to received linsignals to release the friction clutch and cause the rotation of theselecting camsleeve from drivin shaft 34 in a manner-set out in detailin the afore-mentioned Patent No. 1,745,633. The cam sleeve is thereuponrotated at a speedsubstantially synchronous with the speed ofthecodeimpulsing so that the energization' of'the'receivi n magnet in.response to marking and spacing code signals may be efiective throughthe selector 2,8 to condition the individual code bars 21 ina clockwisevor counterclockwise direction in accordance with areceived code signalcombination; The permutable setting of the code bars 2'! results in theselection of one particular pull bar 26, depending upon the alignment ofthe code notches in code bars 21, and with the selection thus de--termined the code bars are locked during'the printing operation by meansof a locking bar 36, Fig. 1, through its engagement with looking notches35 provided in each of the code bars. The

locking bar 36 is moved into and out of locking en;

shown) is adapted to cam surfaces 4| are permitted to be actuatedgradually toward the code bars 21 by their individual springs. Pull bars25 are provided with a hook projection 42 which cooperates with theprinting bail 31 when a pull bar is permitted by the alignment ofnotches in the code bars 2? to be operated by its biasing spring intothe path of bail 31 which in its upward movement engages hook projection42 to lift the pull bar, and throughthe rack and pinion engagement withthe 'type bar causes the type bar to rotate about its pivot and bringthe type face downwardly to impln e upon platen 22. The locking bar 36is not provided with a hook portion since its function is merely to rockon its pivot into and out of looking engagement with code bars 21 underthe control of bail 31 to retain the permutable setting of the code barsduring the printing operation. For a more comprehensive and detaileddescription of the printing operation performed by the printingreperforator, reference may be had to the afore-said Patent No.1,745.633 which is s'pecifi-L cally directed to a printing mechanism ofthe type incorporated in the printing reperforator unit.

For the purpose of controlling code punches in the reperforatingoperation to record the code combination in a tape as well as printthe'corresponding character on the tape, there is provided a pluralityof hell cranks 46, Figs. 1 and 2, one associated with each code bar andpivotally supported upon a stud 4'! which is mounted in a supportingplate 48 secured tothe frame of the reperforating unit. Each: of thebell cranks 46 is provided with a projecting finger 49 adapted tooverlap the locking bar 36 and be operated thereby to position the bellcranks 4-6 in a counterclockwise direction as the bar '36 under theinfluence of bail 31 is' cammed out of locking engagement with code bars21 preparatory to condi- 1 bail 31 is'moved'into the locking notch 35releasagement with code bars 2'lby means of the print- 7 ing bail 31,Figs. 1 and 2, as it is raised and lowered. The printing bail 31 issuitably articulated to a bail operating plunger 38, Fig. 3, slidablymounted within a guide'sleeve 39,, and plunger. 38 is'controlled bymeans of a cam (not shown) on the main shaft 34. The precise operationof the printing mechanism including bail 3.1 from the main shaft 34 isset out in detail in said aforementioned Patent No. 1,745,633..

When the bail 31 is in its lowermost position under the control ofplunger 38, it cooperates with beveled surfaces 4|, Fig. 2, on theplurality of pull bars 26 toho1d the pull bars out of. engagement withcode bars 21 so that the code bars may be readily shifted in accordancewith the operation of the selector mechanism 28 under the control ofreceived code signal impulses. When the printing bail 31 is operatedupwardly to perform the ing the .bell cranks to respond to theirclockwise bias. If a code bar is in itscounterclockwise position, asindicated in Fig. l,the shoulder portion 5| of the associated bellcrank46 will be cl ar of the code bar and when lockin bar 36 responds to thebail 37 and enters locking notch'35 as shown, the bell crank 46 will bepermitted to assume its clockwise position. However, in the event that acode bar, is in its extreme clockwise position, looking bar 36 wouldengage the alternate lockins notch on the particular code bar and thatbar would be positioned in the path of its associated bell crank 46 sothat when locking; bar tbhas moved into engagement with the alternatelooking notch 35 releasing the particular bell crank 46 for rotation,that rotation will be restrained. Accordingly, through the cooperationof the individual code bars 21 and the blocking shoulders 5| of the bellcranks associated with the particular code bars,-the permutable settingof the code bars is transferred to the plurality of bell cranks 46 whenthose bell cranks are permittedto'sense the position of the code bars aslocking bar 35 is moved into a locking notch 35.

v Thefrontward portion of supporting plate 48 as viewed in Fig. 1, isslotted to provide a comblike structure which guides a plurality ofvertically disposed pivoted levers 52 which are pivprinting operation,the bars ZBand 36'due to their. pported upon a stud 53, Fig. 2, carriedin support member 48. The levers 52 which are guided by the comb portionof member 48 project into. the path of operation of bell cranks 46 andeach lever 52 is controlled by one of the bell cranks 46. The lower endsof levers 52 cooperate with and control a series of bell cranks 54pivoted on a pivot shaft 55 secured to the casting 63. Bell cranks 54,in turn, extend beneath the horizontal portion of a second set of bellcranks 56 pivoted .on shaft 51 supported in the pe'rforator casting 63.The bell cranks 56 are normally urged in a clockwise direction by meansof individual springs 68 which springs also serve through theengagementv of bell cranks 56, bell cranks 54, pivoted levers 52, andbell cranks 46,

to impart a clockwise bias on each of the bell cranks 46. Pivotallyarticulated to the vertical arms of bell cranks 56 are a plurality ofpunch interponents 58. Interponents 58 are guided by a comb cut in aflanged portion 6| of a cradle member 62 pivotally supported by thecasting 63 of the printing reperforator and serving as the punchoperator as will appear hereinafter. The pivot for cradle member 62 isin substantial alignment with the pivotal connection between theinterponent members 58 and the vertical arms of bell cranks 56. Thispivot point is indicated 64. Through the mechanical linkage abovedescribed, each permutable' setting of the code bars 21 is transferredwhen locking bar 36 assumes its locking relation with respect to thecode bars, to the interponents 58 to permutably condition theinterponents with respect to code punches 66, Fig. 2. g

Locking bar 36, in being retracted from a looking notch 35 preparatoryto setting up a signal combination in code bars 21, rocks bell cranks 46in a counterclockwise direction and through the mechanical linkagedescribed, similarly rocks bell cranks 56 and advances all interponents58 leftwardly. After the code bars have been set, locking bar 36releases bell cranks 46 permitting the interponents 58 to be selectivelymoved from their normal, leftward position. If any of the bell cranklevers 46 is held in its counterclockwise position by the engagement ofits locking shoulder withits associated code bar 21, the correspondinginterponent 58 through the mechanical linkage above described isretained in its leftward position in alignment with its code punch 66.However, if a bell crank 46 is permitted to assume its clockwiseposition by its associated code bar 21, its spring 60 is effective toshift its associated interponent 58 to its rightward position asillustrated in Fig. 2 and out of alignment with punches 66. Theconnection between the selector.

mechanism 28 and code bars 21 is such that when a marking impulse isreceived a code bar is moved to its clockwise position, the associatedinterponent 58 is retained in alignment with its code punch 66 andconversely, when a code bar is positioned in its counterclockwiseposition in response to the reception of a space impulse, its associatedinterponent is shifted from its normal position and moved out ofalignment with its as,- sociated code punch.

A punch block 61, Fig. 2, secured to the reperforator casting issuitably apertured to receive in a slidable manner the code punches 66which project through the punch block and a guide comb 68. The punches66 are flattened or hammered out at their lower extremities to providesuitable shoulders beneath comb 68 so that as cradle 62'is rocked in acounterclockwise direction,- comb 68 may withdraw punches 68 to theirlowermost positions.

A feed wheel 8|, Fig. 2, provided with sprocket teeth to'engage feedperforations in the tape and feed the tape through'the perforatingmechanism, is rotatably supported within the punch block on a shaft 82,Fig. 1, and is stepped intermittently by means of a feed pawl 83 whichis supported by cradle member 62 and engages a feed ratchet 84 with eachoperation of the cradle 62 in a well-known manner. See copendingapplication filed by Erwin A. Gubisch, Serial No. 412,829, filed onSeptember 29,1941, now U. S. Patent No. 2,348,214, dated May 9, 1944,and dii-rected in part to the feed wheel located within the punch block.A spring pressed detent 85 is provided to bear against the ratchet andhold the feed wheel immovable between feeding strokes of the pawl 83.

A pre-punch unit is provided to perforate a feed hole in the tape priorto the code perforating operation and comprises a feed punch 9|, Figs. 1and 2, which is adapted to be reciprocated vertically in a feed holepunch block 92 by means of a bell crank 93 pivoted on stud shaft 94 andprovided with a fork shaped extension member 96, the tines of whichengage beneath the flared upper end of the punch 9| and confine theheadof the punch between the fork member and the bell crank so that thepunch is reciprocated as the bell crank is oscillated about pivot 94.Feed pins 98 are secured to a shaft 91 rotatably supported in thepre-punch unit and provided at one end with milled ratchet teeth 99 tobe engaged by a feed pawl I9I to intermittently advance the pins 98 andcause the feed of the tape by the engagement of pins 98 with the feedperforations invariably provided in the tape by the pre-punch 9|. A starwheel I82 and detent I83 are provided for holding the feed shaftintermediate the feeding strokes of pawl I8I. A spring pressed guideI84, Fig. 1, of the general contour of shaft 91 presses the tape againstthe feed pins to assure positive tape feed from the pre-punch in thedirection of the printing platen and code perforating point. I

By providing a pre-punch for perforating feed holes in the tape andindependent feeding mechanisms at both the pre-punch and code punchingunits, it is possible to vary the position of the code holes withrespect to the feed holes in the tape. ,That is, with the feed holesalready prepared in the tape, the detent 85 associated with feed Wheel8| may be adjusted so thateach operation of feed pawl 83 positions afeed hole in or out of alignment with code punches 66. Thus the codeperforations and feed hole perforations may or may notbe alignedtransversely of the tape. r

The code perforating punches and pre-punch are operated from a commonoperating means which is controlled by a perforating shaft I86 journaledin, suitable bearings I81 and driven by motor 29 through a gear I88secured to shaft 34 and in engagement with a gear I89 secured to shaftI86. The bearings I81 are carried by supporting members which dependfrom the base casting 2I and support shaft I86 beneath the horizontalsection of the frame casting and transversely of the printingreperforator. Secured to shaft I86 to rotate therewith is the drivingelement III of a positive or grab clutch which is adapted to be engagedby a driven element 2 to impart driving force to the. perforating unit.

Thedriven element of the clutch is slidabl carried upon shaft I06 andnormally urgedinto engagement with driving-element III by means of acompression spring II3 but normally held from engagement with thedrivingportion of the clutch by means of a clutch throwout cam II4formed on the periphery of the driven'element. I I2 of theclutch whichis'normally in engagement with a: clutch'throwout lever IIB pivotallysuported on a shaft I ll, Clutch throwout lever I I6 is normally heldinto the path of the clutch throwout cam I I4 by means of a spring H8;Fig. 3, secured tosaspringstud II9 on the throwout lever-and a portionof the frame. A cam sleeve :I2I is adaptedftoibe'drlven through asplined connection from the driven portion of the clutch when the clutchis engagedand a grooved cam I23 is driven or carriedby. the. sleeve HIand through a follower roll I24 operates a pivoted lever I26 pivoted atI21 to the base. casting 2|. Lever l2dhasiarticulated thereto in apivotal manner a link .I3I, Fig. 2, which is pivotally connected tothe'operator, of the pro-punch SI. .Pivoted code punch hammer B2 isurged by means of a spring I30 secured thereto and to a spring postdepending from base casting 2| toward the frontward extremity -ofpivoted lever I26 and carries an adjustable stop member I28 extendingfrom depe ding portion I29 of hammeriEZ into abutting relation withlever I25. Link I3I is .pivotallyconnectedto three-arm lever ISZwhichcarries an'eccentric I 34 on arm I33, andthe eccentric provides anadjustable engagement-between lever I32and the bell crank 93 of thepie-punch; Feed pawl IIiI for the preypunch is adjustably secured to armI36 of the lever I32 by means ofa'n eccentric so that the feed strokemaybe adjusted; Through the engagement of abutment I28 with lever I26andthe V linkage from pivoted lever I26 to lever I32, the

code punches and the pre-punch are operated with each oscillation ofpivoted lever I26 under the control of grooved cam I23.

As has already been-pointed-out, the selector mechanism 28 whichcontrols the code-bars-27 conditions in this one operation both theprinting mechanism through the alignment of the code-notches in the codebars 21 and the'code punches throughthe conditioning of punchinterponents 58, and means has been provided for carrying outtheprinting and perforating operations concomitantl as follows:A'depending member position by means of'a biasing spring MI and alimiting stop pin I42 carried upon member I3I. Accordingly, as theplunger 3B-is elevated in the courseof the printing cycle, the hookprojection of member I39 engages the clutch throwout lever H6 and rocksit in a clockwise direction about pivot II? torelease the driven elementII2 of the clutch so that compression spring I I 3 is effective to placeclutch elements III and 2mm engagement and cause the rotation of camsleeve I 2i and-the consequent-operation; of the per- 'forating'mechanisms concomitant with the operation'of the printing unit; i I I Acontinuous tape guide I43, Fig. 2, extends from the feed pins 98 at thepre-punch unit to the printing platen 22 to serve as a guide for thetape and prevent the tapefrom becoming engaged with the perforating unitmechanism. This guide .for the sake of a better understanding of theperforating mechanism has been omitted from Fig. 1. A similar guide I44directs the tape from a supply into the pre-punch unit. By providingindividual tape feedingmechanisms at both the pre-punch unit and thecode punch unit, a tape loop may be maintained between the unitsandsupported by guide I43. This tape loop removes the drag of the tapesupply reel from the feeding mechanism at thecode perforating unit andconsequentlygreatlyreduces the tape load at this point. Furthermore,since the feed pawl at the code punch unit may be secured to the'cradlemember I52 111- an adjustable manner similar to the articulation of thefeed pawl at the prepunch unit to its operator, there is givena'fiexibility to the printing reperforator not otherwise attainablethrough the use of a single tape feeding device.

'Tape feed out mechanism Although it is contemplated that theperforating unit operate as an incidentto printing, it may sometimes bedesirable .to operate the perforating mechanism independently of theprinting mechanism to feed out alength of tape and accordingly, a manualrelease of the perforating sleeve has been provided. The clutchthrowoutlever H6 is provided with a vertically projecting portion I46,Fig. 3, which is substantially L-shaped. A manually operated plunger [41slidably sup ported in brackets I48 depending from the base casting 2Iis in alignment with the projection I46 of the clutch throwout lever IIt so that when the plunger I4! is manually operated, the. clutchthrowout lever I Itmay'be held away from clutch throwout cam II4 againstthe tension of its biasing spring H8, and the clutch held or permittedto be engaged so long'as the'plunger I I'Iremains in its operatedposition. In this manner, the perforating ca'm'sleeve I2| may bereleased for any desired number of revolutions which will 7 cause theoperation of the perforating mechanism and tape feeding pawls only,since the clutch on the main cam shaft which operates theip 'intingmechanism will remain disengaged. This feature enables feeding the tapethrough the machine.

without operating the printing unit. As distinguished from thiscontinuous operation of the perforating cam shaft, it is obvious that inthe normal operation of the printing reperforator as a plunger 33 iselevated, the hook portion'I39 trips the clutch throwout lever III; fora single revolution of the perforating sleeve.

The printing reperforator is provided with pull bar operated contactI49, Fig. 2, which may-be selectively operated by predetermined pullbars to perform any desired circuit functions.

Sensing unit Associated with the hereinbefore. described printingreperforator, is a sensing unit I1 provided to sense the perforated tapeas it leaves the printing reperforatorto control functions to behereinafter indicated-and described. In order to take full advantage ofline time, thesensingor which: is adapted to sense every codeperforation'recorded in a tape by the printing reperforator, 'withoutthe necessity of stepping the perforated tape a plurality of feedingdistances from the .perforating unit into the transmitting or sensingunit. This pivoted transmitter is described in detail in copendingapplication Serial No. 219,770, filed July 18, 1938, by Ross A. Lake,now U.- S. Patent No. 2,255,657, dated August 15, 1944, and referencemay be had to that patent for the details both in structure and mode ofoperation of the pivoted transmitter. The transmitter comprisesessentially 'a plurality of sensing elements to sense the perforationsin a tape, a member for feeding the tape through the transmitter havingimparted to it rectilinear motion, and a cam drum for controlling theoperation of the sensing elements and the tape feeding member. I

Unit I1 has a base casting II, Fi 1, which is removably mounted upon thebase casting 2| of the apparatus. The casting I5I consists of a pair ofparallel vertical wall sections I52 interconnected by a relatively fiatweb portion I53, Fig. 2. The leftward extremity of portion I53 is formedinto a vertical portion I54 which is channeled to serve as a journal fora shaft I56 and slotted to provide a comb I51 which serves to guide thevertical oscillations of the members which support and operate thesensing elements. rightward portion of wall sections I52, as viewed inFig. 1, support pivot studs I58 upon which the movable or pivotedportion of the sensing unit is secured. Specifically, the frame membersI59 and I60 are secured to the pivots I 58. A plate I6I is carried bythe pivoted frame members and carries a hinge post I62, Fig. 1, uponwhich is hingedly supported a tape gate I63 which in conjunction withthe plate I6I defines the passageway for the perforated tape through thetransmitter. A spring latch holds the tape gate in cooperating relationwith the plate I6I. This structure of the transmitter is substantiallyidentical with that disclosed in the above-identified Patent No.2,255,657, and reference may be had to that patent and particularly toFig. 1 thereof, for a more detailed disclosure of the mechanical detailsof the transmitter frame. Both plate I6I and the tape gate I63 areprovided with a plurality of apertures which are in alignment when thetape gate is in cooperative relation with plate I6I.

Apertures in plate I6l receive the reduced portions of sensing pins I65,Fig. 2. There isprovided a sensing pin or finger for each of thepossible perforations appearing in a transverse row of perforations inthe tape, plus an additional pln to be employed as a tape-out indicatorin a manner to be hereinafter described. In the particular apparatusunder consideration there are provided six sensing fingers, inasmuch asit is contemplated to utilize a five-unit code.

A slidably movable feed member which is formed with a cam groove isprovided to feed the tape through the transmitter in accordance with arectilinear feeding movement precisely as has been described in greatdetail in the above-identified Patent No. 2,255,657 and illustrated inFigs. 9 to 12 thereof.

On the shaft I56 which is supported by the channel I54, Fig. 2, formedin the base casting of the sensing unit are pivotally supported aplurality of Y-levers I12 as well as other levers including thoserequired to control the operation of the members I66 and I" of the tapefeeding The mechanism. The Y-levers are individual to the sensingfingers I65 and those fingers are pivotally secured to one arm of theY-levers on a centerline substantially coincident with the pivots I58.The leftward portions of the Y-levers are supported in a member I13secured by screws I14, Fig. 1, to the vertical wall ections of the basecasting of the sensing unit, and member I13 is suitabl slotted toprovide a comb guide structure to guide the vertical operation of theY-levers about the shaft I56. Depending from the rightward extremitiesof the Y-levers, as viewed in Fig. 2, are guide fingers I15 which whenthe Y-levers are rotated in a clock wise direction about shaft I56 arereceived in horizontal slots I16 of the castin of the sensing unit,which in this manner guide the oscillating movements of the Y-levers.Each Y-lever is provided leftwardly of the shaft I56 as viewed in Fig.2, with an upstanding projection I 18 to which is secured a spring I19the other end of which is anchored to a spring post I11 carried bymember I13, and springs I19 tending normally to rotate the Y-levers I12in a counterclockwise direction about'shaft I56, and elevate the sensingfingers I65 vertically to sense the perforations in a tape I86 presentedto the transmitter.

It is preferred that the sensing fingers I65 'be secured to the Y-leversin the same mannerin which the sensing elements I25 of theabove-identified Patent No. 2,255,657 are secured to their operatingbell cranks I46I52; that is, each sensing finger is provided near itslower extremitywith an aperture arranged to be engaged by a pin securednear the end of th horizontally extending arm of the Y-levers. A reedspring riveted to the horizontal arm of the Y-lever serves to retain thelower end of the sensing finger andprevents accidental displacements.This described preferred association of the sensing fingers andY-leversis not illustrated in the drawings but is adequately illustratedin Fig. 2 of Patent No. 2,255,657. A cam drum I86 carries a plurality ofcams which operate, as followers; the several levers pivotally supportedby shaft I 56 and located on this camdrum, are a plurality of cams I81,six in number to control the operation .of the Y-levers, and

the operation of the sixth sensing pin which may be carried by a Y-leveror a bell crank lever, a cam I68 to control the operation of contactsI84, a transfer cam I89 for a purpose to be hereinafter. described, acam I96 for controlling the operation of feed lever I66 through leverI8I, cam I9I for controlling the operation of feed lever I1 I throughlever. I82, and cam I92 for controlling the opera-. tion of a bail to beidentified hereinafter.

The power for driving cam drum I86 is derived from motor 29 through agrab clutch. Gear I93, Fig. 1, which is continuously rotated by shaftI06 meshes with a gear I94 secured to-shaft I 96 which is journaled insuitable bearings I91 depending from the horizontal portion of basecasting 2|,

other and by means of a splinedconnection driven;

element I99 of the clutch imparts rotation to the.

' cam drum I86 when the clutchelements have beenengaged. A11electromagnet 263, when energized, retracts the clutch throwout lever26I from engagement with the throwout cam on the driven element of theclutch and pe'rmits'engagement of the driving and driven elements, torotate the cam drum I86. So long as electromagnet 263 remains'energizedthe cam drum will rotate continuously and upon de-energization of theelectro magnet the clutch is disengaged after cam drum I86 completes itsinstant cycle of revolution.

Frame member I56 ofthe transmitter structure carries a rightwardlyextending projection 266, Figsgl and 2, and when the transmitter in,

pivoting about pivots I58 has reached its limiting clockwise position,projection 266 will have been brought down into engagement with aplunger 261 which is reciprocally mounted within an aperture in the basecasting 2| and normally restsupon' a, contact of switch 265 so that asthe projection 266 bears against and depresses plunger 261, the plungerin turn depresses and operates the switch 265 to break the circuit tothe electromagnet 263, andshut down the operation of cam sleeve I86.

Cams I81 are arranged'on cam'drum I86 with their respective cam recessesin axial alignment so that a cam recess is presented to each of the Ylevers I12 and-to the operator of the sixth sensin finger simultaneouslywhereby the six sensing fingers are elevated to their'probing positionssimultaneously and depending upon the presence or absence of aperforation in the tape over an individual finger into its restrainedor' its extreme counterclockwise position. The recesses of cams I81 areof sufficient length circumferentially of the cam sleeve I86 to retainthe fingers I65 in tape probing position until the operation of atransfer mechanism, to be hereinafterdescribed, has been completed andthereafter the cams rotate the fingers simultaneously in a clockwisedirection, retracting them from probing relation with the tapepreparatory to advancing the tape through the transmitter.

Cams I96 and I 9| are orientated. to operate, respectively, followers INand I82 in precisely the same manner in which cams 261 and 265 in theabove-identified Patent No. 2,255,657 cooperate,

respectively, with their followers I61 and I16, tov

impart a rectilinear feeding movement to members I66 and "I of thetransmitting device.

Furthermore, cams I96and I9I are orientated on cam drum I 86 withrespect to the cams I 81,

which operate the sensing fingers, in the same relation as the feed camsare orientated on the cam drum of Patent No. 2,255,657 with respect tothe cam'therein which operates the tape sensparted to the transmitter,through the operation of the pin I 69 carried on lever "I which is inengagement with cam groove I61, imparts a feeding stroke tothe tape tofeed the tape through the transmitter, and so long as there is a tapeloop or a tape surplus between the printing reperforator and the tapetransmitter, the tape will be advanced in'this manner, but when thetapejis taut between the reperforator and the transmitter, the operatingmovement of the transmitter willbe restrained in acounterclockwisefdirection because of the engagementof the pins I68 inthe taut tape and will result in the clockwise movement of thetransmitter frame about its pivots I58; This. movement of .thetransmitter will continue so long as the tape remains taut between thetransmitter and the re perforator, providing that no stop abutment hasbeen reached and that sleeve I86 is maintained in operation. As may beclearly seen in Fig. 2. the sensingunit I1. is pivoted to oscillateabout a vertical center; that is, to either side of a vertical center.This overcenter travel of the transmitter requires the inclined feed ofthe tape through the perforating punch block, which. has been defined indetail above, in orderthat'there may be a substantially straight linefeed of the tape from the reperforator into the transmitter when thetransmitter has assumed its most clockwise position; that is, inabutmentwith the punch block. The forward or leading surface 69 of thepunch block, Fig. 2, is cut back at an inclined angle, inclined to thevertical, to present a plane which is substantially parallel to theposition of the transmitter frame when it has engaged the punch block sothat there is in efiect a plane of contact between the two units. Withthe transmitter in this extreme clockwise position, the, tape guidewaydefined by plate vI 6| and the tape gate I68 above mentioned, will beina plane in elined to the vertical necessitating the feed of the tapefrom the reperforator at a similar angle so that the tape may feed inone continuous line from the reperiorator into the transmitter in thisextreme position.

It is clear from the detailed description of the rectilinear movement ofthe feeding mechanism of the sensin unit, whichhas been pointed outabove and which is defined in greater detail in the above-identifiedPatent No. 2,255,657 that the pins 68 are normally in engagement withthe tape, and it follows that if the printing reperforator operates at agreater rate than the operation of the sensing unit'thereby accumulating tape therebetween, the tape will advance the transmitter in acounterclockwise direction about its pivot I58'until finally thetransmitter has reached its extreme counterclockwise position; that is,in abutment with an adjustable limit stop 266, Fig. 2. This adjustablestop is suitably se cured to a substantially U-shaped frame member 269which spans the sensing unit and is secured thereto by means of screwsengaging the vertical wall sections i52 thereof, Fig. 1.

Frame member 269 has a depending portion centrally thereof, whichsecures or supports the stop abutment 268, Fig, 2. A pair of tapesupporting fingers 2| I, Figs. 1 and 2, are carried by the web portionof the frame 269 and extend forwardly of the transmitter unittoward theperforator unit, extending, when the transmitter is in its extremecounterclockwise position against the stop 268, between the spaces whichintervene the first and second, and fifth and sixth tape sensingfingers. Fingers 2| I may project between. any desired sensing elementsof unit I1. The tape supporting fingers by projecting through. the tapesensing unit serve to support the tape and sustain the weight of thetape loop between the tape sensing unit'and the tape reperforator presventing bending of the tape over plate I6I of the the tape sensing unitand reperforator, it is possible for the weight of the tape to bendor'substantially break the tape at the plate I6I and prevent the feed ofthe tape through the transmitter. The tape supporting fingers which areprovided obviate this danger.

It is to be understood that the tape fingers which are shown in Fig. 2as being mounted upon the frame 209 may, if desired, be supported by theframe members of the transmitter itself, so that the fingers wouldtravel with the transmitter and support the tape in all positions of thetransmitter. However, with such a, construction it would be necessary tomovably mount the fingers on the frame so that upon the framesapproaching the perforating punch block these fingers could be deflecteddownwardly or otherwise so as not to impede the movement of thetransmitter to its extreme clockwise position against the code punchblock which is necessary for the unit to sense the last code combinationperforated in the tape.

The tape I80 as it leaves the sensing unit I! is supported upon a tapeguide I85, Fig. 2, and directed thereover out of the apparatus. Theguide I85 supported by base casting 2|, extends across the transfermechanism and code vanes, to be described hereinafter, and has beenomitted from the remaining figures of the drawings for the sake ofdisclosing elementsof the apparatus which would be obscured by theguide.

A tape deflector 2| 2, Figs. 1 and 2, is provided intermediate thesensing unit and reperforator and is pivotally secured to the punchblock of the perforator, Fig. l, with the rightwardly extending arms ofthe deflector 2I2 pivotally supported upon shaft 1.6 of the reperforatorwhich also supports the stripper elements 11. From the profile in Fig. 2of the tape deflector 2|2, it may be seen that the deflector is ofsubstantially Z- shape in cross section and normally tends to rotate ina counterclockwise direction under the influence of gravity and, ifdesired, a biasing spring. Due to the contour of the deflector, tape asit emerges from the reperforating punch block and abuts against thedeflector is directed downtwo units, the deflector 2I2 will pivot aboutit's shaft I6 and come into locking engagement with the transmitter I!which would have been advanced to its extreme counterclockwise positionby reason of the movement of the tape with re- ,spect to the transmittercaused by the operation of the reperforator at a greater rate than theoperation of the transmitter. Sensing will then be carried out with thesensing unit held by the latching finger 2I3, so long as there remains asufliciently large tape loop intermediate the two units. However,assuming that the sensing unit should operate at a rate greater than therate of operation of the reperforator, the tape loop will be shortenedas it is fed through the transmitter at a greater rate than incomingtape is fed from the reperforator. If the transmitter continues tooperate at the greater rate, the tape loop will become entirely takenup, and in so doing, the tape will engage the depending portion of thetape deflector 2I2, and as the tape becomes taut it will cam thedeflector upwardly, and latching finger 2I3 will be lifted out of thepath of the transmitter so that under the subsequent operation of therectilinear feed mechanism of the transmitter, the pivoted transmitterwill be permitted to advance toward the reperforating unit withouthaving its movement in this direction impeded in any way by the latchingprojection 2I3 of the tape deflector. In Fig. 2 there is indicated indotted construction,the position of the tape deflector when it has beencammed by the tape in a counterclockwise direction about shaft I6 due tothe tape loop being taken up.

wardly into a depending loop between the reperforator punch block andthe sensing unit. A

storage container may receive the tape as it ace cumulates between theunits. The tape deflector is relatively narrow, Fig. 1, and does notextend throughout its entire length, across the full width of the tape,but exposes that portion of the tape on which is printed the codecharacters and, accordingly, the message printed on the tapeintermediate the transmitter and reperforator may nevertheless be readeven though the tape deflector is in its operative tape loop formingposition. The deflector 212 may, if desired, be rotated over center in aclockwise direction to an inoperative position; that is, out of the pathof the tape as it emerges from the perforating code punch block. Thedeflector may be rendered inoperative in this manner when it isnecessary to thread the tape, initially through the transmitter.

Extending forwardly of the deflector is a latching finger 2I3 whichserves to engage the plate "SI of the transmitter when the transmitteris in its extreme counterclockwise position, as illustrated in Fig. 2,and renders the transmitter immovable with respect to the perforatingpunch block, so long as there is a sufliciently large tape loopintermediate the transmitter and reperfora tor. If, because thereperforator unit operated at a greater speed than the transmitter,there is a sufliciently large tape loop formed between the Briefly theoperation of the transmitting o-r sensing unitis as follows:

Assume switch 204 to be manually closed and that the transmitter I1 isin its extreme clockwiseposition against the perforator code punchblock. In this condition projection 206, secured to frame member I59 ofthe transmitter, will have depressed plunger 201 and opened switch 205,deenergizing the electromagnet 203 and disabling the power drive to thecam drum I86 by reason of the engagement of clutch throwout lever 2M andthe throwout cam on the periphery of the clutch driven element I99.Toward the completion of a cycle of operation of the printingreperforator in response to received code signals, a perforated codecombination will be made in the tapeand advanced from the reperforatorto the transmitter, and this advancing movement of the tape, because ofthe fact that the pins I68 of feed member I66 are in engagement withfeed perforations in the tape, will rock the pivoted transmitter in acounterclockwise direction for a distance corresponding to the tapefeed, and this movement is suflicient to Withdraw projection 206 fromengagement with plunger 20'! and permit the spring element of the switch205 to elevate the plunger and close the switch 205 completing thecircuit to electromagnet 203 which attracts its armature resulting inthe removal of clutch throwout lever 20I from the path of the throwoutcam on the clutch driven element I99, permitting theengagement under theinfluence of spring 202 of the elements I98 and I99 of the clutch andconnecting the power drive from motor 29 through to the cam drum I86. Ascam drum I86 rotates, cams I81 simultaneously present cam depressions tothe plurality of Y-levers I12 to elevate the sensing fingers I65 intotape probing position under the influence of biasin springs I19individual to each Y-lever. If a given Y-lever finds a perforation in atap its associated spring I19 will be permitted to rotate the Y-lever toits extreme counterclockwise position about shaft I55, positioning the.leftward extremity of the Y-lever in the lowermost position in its guidecomb I13 but if a sensing finger 555 does not find a code perforation inthe tape,

the counterclockwise rotation of its associated Y-lever is restrained sothat its spring I19 can rotate the Y-lever I12 to a, very limited extentabout shaftv I56 resulting in a positioning of the prises a pair ofvertical arms 229 and 23! inter- Y -lever in an upper position in theguide comb I13, The relative position of the Y-,-levers, that is,whether the Y-levers remain in a, relatively high portion of the guidecomb I13, or are positioned in the lower portion of the guide comb,controlled in accordance with the code perforated in the tape, isutilized in a manner to be hereinafter described, to, control atransmitting distributor and function levers to perform switching.operations in accordance with the permutable setting of the Y-levers. Ascam drulm I86 continue its cycle of rotation, cams I81 retract fingersE64 from probing engagement with the tape, cams H90 and IBI, controllingthe operation of levers i'66 and HI in a manner above described, effecta rectilinear feedof member I66 and advance thetransmitter again to itsextreme clockwise position to cause projection 206 to open switch 2% andinterrupt the operation of the transmitting cam shaft at the completionof thecycle of operation of the sensing unit.

If during the operation of the sensing unit, a second advancement isgiven to thetape and consequently to the sensing unit by the operationof feed Wheel 8| in the printing reperforator, the movement of thetransmitter frame at the completion of the instant cycle of operation ofcam drum I85 will not cause the switch 205 to open and the sensing unitwill continue to operate. If the printing reperforato-r continues tooperate at a greater rate than the sensing'unit, a tape loop will formintermediate the units and the tape deflector 2I2 will be effective tolatch the sensing. unit against its counterclockwise stop 2G8 until thedeflectoris cammed out of engage}- ment with the sensing unit by thetape resulting from a subsequent operation of the transmitter at agreater rate than that of the printing reperforator. With the deflector2I2 cammed out of the path of the transmitter, the continued operationof the transmitter and its rectilinearly operated feed member I 66 willadvance the transmitter toward the printing reperforator and ultimatelyinterrupt the operation of the transmitter by opening switch 205 as thetransmitter is moved into a position to sense the last code perforationin the tape.

Transfer mechanism and transmitting distributor The sensing unit, in themanner described above senses the successive code perforations in thetape as the tape passes from the printing reperforator to the sensingunit, and in each sensing operation positions the Y-levers I12 in guidecomb I13 in accordance with the code combination sensed; that is, theY-levers are permutably positioned in the upper or lower portions of theguide slots in comb I13 in accordance with the extent of thecounterclockwise rotation of the Y-levers under the influence or theirbiasing springs I19'as controlled by the perforations in the tape. Thepemnntafble setting of the Y-levers H2 i transferred through a transfermechanism to control the contacts of a cam type transmitter distributorI8 which redistributes or retransmits connected by a horizontallydisposed member, 232.. A horizontally disposed pivot shaft 233, Fig. 2,extends between the upper portions of vertical frame members 229. and23I of the transfer frame and there is mounted on the shaft a pluralityof transfer levers 234 which are substantially T shaped and suitablyspaced horizontally along shaft 233 by means, of spacingv discs'235. Theupper and lower extremities of the verticalsections of T-levers 234facejthe fork element of the Y-levers I12, Fig. 2 and when theY-levers'are positioned in the upper portion of the slide groove of combI13, the upper tines of the Y-levers are in substantial alignment withthe upper extremities of the T-levers and, conversely, when the Y-levers are positioned in the lower portion of the comb, as illustratedin Fig. 2, the. lower tines are in substantial alignment with the lowerextremiw ties of the T-levers. t

In order to transfer the .permutable setting of the Y-levers to thetransfer levers, the frame of the transfer mechanism is pivotallysupported as described above, and cam I89, Fig, 2, which is included incam drum I86, operates upon a cam follower 235, Figs. 1 and 2, formed asa projection on the member 229 of the frame of the transfer mechanism. Abiasing spring (not shown) operates normally to hold the transfer framein its counterclockwise position, but the operation of cam I39 on camfollower 236 is sufficient to overcome this spring bias and rotate a Ithe transfer frame and the T-levers 234 into a clockwise position inwhich th terminals of the T-levers come into abutting relation with thetines of the Y-levers in accordancewitn the permutable setting of theY-levers, and this engagement of the T-levers with the II-levers rocksthe T-levers ina clockwise or counterclockwise direction about shaft 233and transfers, in this. manner, the setting of the Y-levers to the T-lever's.

More particularly, if a Y-lever is assumed to be in its lower positionin comb I13, in response to its associated sensin finger I65 entering acode the' transfer mechanism in timed relation to the probing of thetape under the control of cams I81, it will bring the T-lever associatedwith the particular Y-lever toward the Y-lever, the lower tine of whichwill engag the lower extremity of the vertical section of the T-lever234, and through this engagement will rock the T-lever 234 in aclockwise direction about shaft 233. Conversely, when the Y-lever is inits upper position in the comb I13 due to the failure of its finger I65to enter a perforation in the tape, when the associated T-lever isbrought into engagement with the Y-lever, the upper' tine of the Y-leverwill engage the upper extremity of the vertical section of the T-leverand in this engagement rock the T-lever in a counterclockwise directionabout shaft 233. Thetransfer of the setting of the individual Y-leversto the associated individual T-levers takes place. simultaneously and.

after it has taken place, the return spring on the transfer mechanism iseffective under the control of cam I89 to rotate the transfer mechanism,and the T-levers in their permutable relation with respect to oneanother, to their normal or counterclockwise position and, in thismanner, free the plurality of Y-levers which may then be returned totheir normal position by cams l8! retracting the fingers I65 fromengagement with the perforated tape, preparatory to the sensing of asubsequent code combination. When the transfer mechanism is returned tonormal, it maintains control over a transmitting distributor to transmitthe signal combination transferred from the Y-levers and during thistransmission, cam drum I86 initiates another cycle of the sensing unit,setting the Y-levers in accordance with the following code signalcombination recorded in the tape, thereby providing signal overlap,between the sensing unit and transfer mechanism.

There is associated with each T-lever a code vane 2, Figs. 1 and 2, andthis association is through a member 242 affixed to each code vane andprovided at its rightward extremity as viewed in Fig. 2, with abifurcation to-which is slidably articulated the leftward extremity ofthe associated T-lever. Each code vane 24! is pivotally supported ateach. There are as many pivoted code vanes provided as there areT-levers, one vane being associated with one T-lever in theabove-described manner. bodiment of the invention, wherein it iscontemplated to employ a five-unit code there are provided fiveY-levers, five T-levers and five pivoted code vanes mutually associatedwith one another.

The code vanes 24! (Fig. l) extend from the In this particularemselecting mechanism including a printing bail and printing bailoperator, a perforating mechanism conditioned by the operation of saidselecting mechanism, a cam for operatin said perforating mechanism, apower means to rotate said cam, clutch means associated with said powermeans, and means carried by said bail operator and operable thereby tocontrol said clutch means to connect said power means to said camconcomitantly with the operation ofsaid printing mechanism.

2. In a recording apparatus, a selector mechanism responsive to receivedcode signal combinations, a printing mechanism controlled by saidselector including a printing bail and bail operator, a perforatingmechanism controlled by said selector, a perforating cam to operate saidperforating mechanism, a power driving means for said cam, a singlerevolution clutch associated with said cam and said driving means, andmeans carried by said bail operator and operated thereby in eachprinting cycle to release said clutch and operate said perforatingmechanism through a single cycle.

3. In a recording apparatus, the combination of a selector responsive toreceived code signals, a printing mechanism controlled by said selectorto print characters corresponding to received code signals on a tape,said printing mechanism including a printing bail and bail operator, aperforating mechanism controlled by said selector to perforate receivedcode signals in the tape, a prepunch for perforating feed holes in atape in advance of the code signal perforations, a feeding mechanism tofeed a tape from said prepunch to said perforating mechanism, a feedingmechanism to feed a tape through said perforatin mechanism, a single camcommon to said perforating, prepunch and feeding mechanisms,

40 power driving means for said cam, a single actuated in response tothe operation of said 59 revolution clutch associated with said cam andsaid driving means, means to operate said printing mechanism, and meanscarried by said printing mechanism and operable thereby to control saidclutch to operate said perforating mechanism, said prepunch, and saidfeeding mechanisms concomitantly with the operation of said printingmechanism,

BOSS A. LAKE.

